Westcountry folk singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Seth Lakeman was nominated for the Mercury Music Prize in 2005 for ‘Kitty Jay’. It catapulted him into the forefront of the British folk movement.
Seth Lakeman
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Bands
The bands are at the heart of the Swanage Folk Festival, with many people coming just to see their favourite band. Some concerts are free, for others you’ll need to buy a ticket. Most of the concerts are played in Sandpit field (number 1 on the map), but check the location of the acts you’re interested in (there’s a map available on this site if you’re not sure where to find the locations).
Click on any of the entries below to get more information. At the bottom of this page is a map of the festival locations.
Oysterband
Oysterband play modern folk-based British music, acoustic at heart, sometimes rocking. Since 1978 they’ve toured in 35 countries – festivals, concerts, bars, rallies, jails – They won 5 BBC Folk Awards and made 13 studio albums and one DVD.
Sheelanagig
Sheelanagig, from South West England, have brought their array of foot-stomping folk tunes to audiences across the globe, for over a decade.
Geoff Lakeman & Rob Murch
Geoff Lakeman’s English & Irish folk, Americana and Jazz songs from his vintage duet concertina, along with Rob Murch’s wow factor on the banjo, will make this a spectacular performance.
Old Baby Mackerel
Old Baby Mackerel play high-energy, foot-stomping Bluegrass, see their page for videos of their live performances
Honey & the Bear
British folk and roots duo Honey & the Bear combine delicately interweaving vocal harmonies with emotive and evocative songwriting.
Bram Taylor
Bram Taylor has established a reputation both in the UK and abroad and is performing twice over the weekend, get to both of them – you’ll be pleased you did.
Amy Thatcher and Fran Knowles
Amy Thatcher’s reputation as one of the UK’s leading folk performers and composers is garnered from her work with such luminaries as Kathryn Tickell, Sting.
The Magpies Duo
The Magpies draw on their wide-ranging influences to create a unique blend of transatlantic folk transporting audiences to distant lands
Wareham Whalers
At the Swanage Folk Festival this year are the Wareham Whalers, with their powerful sea shanties.
Faustus
Faustus are recognised worldwide. In early 2020 the band were performing at venues in Australia and New Zealand.
Mother Ukers
Mother Ukers are a big hit on the entertainment scene and at the Swanage Folk Festival will be performing songs you know, in their unique 1920’s ukular style.
Man The Lifeboats
Man The Lifeboats play raucous, upbeat folk music, dragging traditional folk tunes kicking and screaming into the 21st century.
Kelp
Kelp are Purbeck’s premier sea shanty group.
Tinderbox
Award winning contemporary folk group Tinderbox are on stage at the Swanage Folk Festival 2022
Suthering
The Suthering have unusual and fresh approach to folk. True story-tellers who champion female characters, creating new narratives for women and unearthing the female heroines of folk.
Banter
Banter have been described as the world’s smallest big band. Come and listen to the influences of pop, jazz, soul and big band sounds in their music.
Monkey See Monkey Do
Combining vocals with fiddle, guitar, bodhran, clarinet and the occasional squeeze of melodeon, Monkey See Monkey Do take traditional and modern material and make it their own.